Drive-By

Summary

"Jimmy always told me there were only two kinds of gangbangers: Those who were dead and those who were going to die. Joining a gang doesn't make sense to Jimmy..."

Jimmy is dead now—gunned down in front of his little sister, Mina, and his brother, Tito. And Tito is left wondering: Was Jimmy in a gang after all? Ice Breaker Joe and Lamar think so. They say Jimmy was skimming their drug money. And if the missing cash isn't returned, Tito may have to pay—with his life.

Some people go to the crossroads, but Tito's crossroads laid themselves down in front of him. His brother Jimmy sprawls on the sidewalk at his feet. Shot in a drive by. Now a gang claims that Jimmy was their Ace Man. They say Tito must take his place and resolve some unfinished business. They give him a gun. "You need protection. It's not safe on the street." What path will be choose at the crossroads? He knows one leads to safety and one to death . . . but which is which?

Drive-By - Lynne Ewing

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1

Jimmy was my brother. Mom laughed at all his dumb jokes. She called him funny bones.

I’ve never known anyone who could make people laugh as much as Jimmy could.

Mina, my little sister, giggled at Jimmy’s faces. Mina wants to be a princess when she grows up. She’s still at an age where she thinks that’s possible.

I’m the serious one. Jimmy called me a worry toad.

That made Mom laugh.

They’re all good-looking. Not me. I don’t look like I belong in the same family. My nose is too big for my face. My eyes are too small for my nose. Mom says I have character, though. Zev across the street says that means I’m honest and dependable.

The night Jimmy died, Jimmy and I were walking Mina home from a birthday party. Mina had tied her long black hair on one side in a ponytail. She thinks that’s what a princess does.

Near the library, the wind started blowing. Leaves fell from the elm trees and scattered across the sidewalk. The library, dark and silent, had been closed for a long time. It looked haunted. Everyone said it was.

So, of course, Jimmy decided to play the claw.

I can’t control my hand, he yelled.

He made his right hand into a claw.

Help me, he cried.

Mina screamed.

Don’t do it, Jimmy, I said. We’re already late.

Jimmy stumbled around, fighting his right hand. He used to scare me with that claw routine, too.

He ran after Mina. He made it look like his hand was chasing Mina. He staggered after her, fighting his hand.

She squealed and ran.

I hated Jimmy’s claw routine more than anything. There was no way you could stop him when he started.

That was the last thing I saw him do.

Mina ran behind the library.

Great work, Clawman, I said. We were supposed to be home an hour ago.

That was my fault mostly. I couldn’t say no to a second piece of chocolate birthday cake.

Don’t be such a worry toad, Jimmy said. Then he smiled.

I shook my head. We shouldn’t be out this late.

Tito, relax. Okay? Jimmy said.

My real name is Timothy Thomas, but everyone calls me Tito.

I left Jimmy alone on the sidewalk and ran after Mina.

Behind the library, wind rushed through the trees, making shadows shift and change shape. Branches creaked and groaned.

I found Mina right away. Without the claw chasing her, she didn’t think it was fun to run and scream. Besides, it was dark and scary behind the library.

You got to stop running away from me, I said. Someday I won’t be able to find you.

She didn’t answer. She didn’t think a brother should talk to his princess sister that way.

We walked toward the front of the library, our shoes kicking up dead leaves.

That’s when I heard music, hard and heavy loud music. The beat made my chest pound. I knew gangbangers were rolling nearby.

Tires skidded.

I peeked around the building.

A car stopped near Jimmy. The shadows and trees made it hard to see. Four guys slouched low in the car. I could barely see their heads. I thought maybe they were asking Jimmy for directions.

Then gunshots exploded.

White angry fire flashed from the backseat.

Mina grabbed her ears. When she feels really scared, she doesn’t scream and run. She freezes and sucks in air in a long sigh.

Jimmy fell.

I knew he was teasing, and it made me angry. I couldn’t believe he’d tease me that way.

I only thought that for a heartbeat.

The car sped away. The taillights—different colors, one red, one orange—blurred as the car disappeared around the corner.